ESVS Aortic Fellowship Programme

The Programme:

The first Fellowship Programme begins in October 2024 and runs until September 2026 and is aimed at vascular trainees and vascular surgeons, to improve their knowledge and skills in aortic surgery.

• Registration to 7 of the Academy’s face-to-face workshops, including priority registration.
• Registration to 6-8 online workshops.
• Support in securing a high-volume aortic centre for your two-week placement. A pre-approved list will be provided.
• ESVS certificate of attendance, acknowledging you took part in an exhaustive and recognised educational programme in aortic vascular surgery.
• Final interview with the ESVS Fellowship Programme Lead.
• Regular informal drop-ins with aortic KOLs and other Fellows.

How much does it cost?

The Fellowship Programme costs EUR 10,500 and Fellows have the option to fund themselves or apply for the ESVS Fellowship Grant, through a competitive application process. Travel to and accommodation at the workshop locations, is not covered by ESVS. Those lucky enough to win a grant, may also receive a subsistence grant to the value of EUR 3,500 to put towards travel and accommodation for attending the face-to-face workshops. The number of grants to be given is at the discretion of ESVS. 

Whilst the Programme and the grants do benefit from sponsorship funding, the Programme is proud to abide by the conditions of EACCME in providing unbiased educational opportunities. Each workshop will seek CME accreditation. 

Who is the Fellowship aimed at?

 The Grant funding is open to all vascular surgeons who are members of the Society (except the “medical student” category), from trainees to experienced vascular surgeons willing to improve their skills in aortic surgery. Self-funded applicants do not need to be a member. 

Programme Objectives:

Providing basic, moderate and advanced levels of workshop that are compiled in a basic and advanced Fellowship Programme.

Focusing on practical skills, techniques and knowledge for treating aortic diseases. This ranges from diagnostic imaging to basic vascular and endovascular skills towards moderate and advanced skills, when performing complex aortic procedures (open and endo) in a hi-tech environment.

Facilitating learning through different educational formats – cadaver and wet lab dissection, hands-on models and simulators, case-based discussions, technical lectures and other interactive formats.

Workshop Programme Design:

You can find more information about the individual workshops here. 

ESVS Academy is offering different face-to-face “hands on” and online workshops in the aortic field. Workshops are designed to cover most of the aortic topics that the modern, contemporary, vascular team is facing. It starts with basic techniques of the creation of aortic anastomosis and access to thoracic and abdominal aorta offered in the workshops on cadaveric and pig models. Repair of the basic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, both endovascular and open, are delivered, in a hands-on model (for open) and in simulator (endo) workshops. These workshops provide extensive and detailed knowledge around performing open and endovascular aneurysm repair. Detailed assessment of participants by experienced convenors is an obligatory part of the workshop, where progression is monitored and discussed during the workshop, until completion of the repair, when an acceptable score above a predetermined threshold is achieved. Aortic trauma, dissection and thoracic aneurysm are covered in a dedicated workshop that includes technical lectures, a planning and sizing section and performing procedures on a plastic model.

 Techniques of challenging open repair, abdominal and thoracoabdominal aneurysm, are provided in hands-on model workshops where different techniques of renal and visceral revascularizations are discussed in case-based discussion and performed in the plastic and/or cadaver model. Complex endovascular aortic repair starts with the treatment of hostile neck and iliac aneurysms and continues in the workshops dedicated to fenestrated and branched repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm, as well as repair of the aortic arch with physician modified grafts. Training in such complex procedures is provided through technical lectures about procedural steps and demonstrated on plastic models, simulators and through video presentations. A ruptured aneurysm as one of the most challenging vascular conditions, is covered by dedicated workshops on cadavers, plastic models and with case-based discussion. Finally, problems such as graft infection, performing a “neo aortoiliac system”, graft explantation and repair of aortoenteric fistulas, are covered in separate workshops

Imaging techniques and skills in aortic procedures (the interpretation of computed tomography imaging; performing and interpreting IVUS; using image fusion technology; as all as fiberoptic real shape (FORS) tehcnology) are crucial for diagnosis, planning and performing all procedures and are included in a dedicated workshop but also will be included in some of the workshops where needed, or will be delivered in online workshops. 

This Fellowship Programme does not include ultrasound techniques. However, ESVS is offering very useful workshops in ultrasound, combined with a certification examination, each year at the ESVS Annual Meeting – the CCVUS. You can find out more here.

How does the placement work?

• ESVS will provide you with a detailed list of pre-approved and reputable aortic centres, including their main characteristics and the ESVS contact person. These are the currently approved centres.
• Participants choose a centre and independently secure and organize their visit, including accommodation and travel
• The Fellowship does not include travel and accommodation costs for self-funded applicants. An additional grant is available for those who received the Fellowship Grant. 

What can I expect from the KOL sessions?

•  ESVS will organise regular informal sessions with KOLs and guest speakers, with the Fellowship Lead present at each session (case discussions, feedback from both sides etc.)
• The goal is to informally review progress, touch base and to facilitate a virtual community between Fellows.

How can I apply?

The Fellowship Team: